Machine for sealing envelops and mailable matter and affixing stamps thereto.



- No, 757,574. r I PATEN'TED'APR. 19, 1904.

. i JJN. STACY. MACHINE FORSEALING ENVELOPSAND MAILABLE MATTER AND APFIXIN G STAMPS THERETO.

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PATENTED'APR. 19, 1904.

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J. N. STAGY. MACHINE FOR SEALING ENVELOPS AND MAILABLE MATTER AND APPLIOA'IIOH FILED JUNE 1. 1903.

AFFIXING STAMPS THEEETO.

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' wsm ESSES Patented April 19, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT UEEICE.

JAMES N. STACY, or PORTLAND, OREGON.

MACHlNE FOR SEALING ENVELOPS .AND MAlLABLE MATTER AND AFFlXlNG STAMPS THERETO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 757,574, dated April 19, 1904,

Application filed June 1, 1903. Serial No. 159,679. (No modeL) To all whom it may concern) i 'Be it known that I, J AMEsN. STACY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Portland,

in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Sealing Envelops and Mailable Matter and Afiixing Stamps Thereto, of which the following is a specification.

- This invention relates to the type of machines designed for sealing envelops and stamping same, the purpose being the provision of amachine of this class which will admit of its sole use foreitheror for both operations at one handling of the mail'able matter.

liminary to the application vof'the sealing-.

Figure 1 is a perspectlve View of a machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section showing the mechauisrn for. feeding the stamp on alarger scale. Fig. 4: is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, illustrating the relative arrangement of the feed devices'when at the limit of their forward movement. Fig. 5 is a plan section on the line X X of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a View of the frame provided with the feed and cutting mechanisms as it appears when removed from the base and inverted. Fig. 7 is atransverse section of .said frame about on the line Y Y of Fig. 2 on a larger scale. Fig. 8 isa transverse section of the moistener'on the line Z Z of Fig. 5 on a larger scale. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the box or case for containing a roll of stamps. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the bed-plate containing the guide for the stamp-strip and showing a spring-standard. Fig. 11 isa detail perspec tive viewof the feed-pawl. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of the feeder. Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the slide. Fig. 14 is a detail perspective View of the trip.v

Corresponding andlike parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all views of the drawings by the same reference characters. I

The machine comprises a base 1, to which the operating parts are attached and upon which is mounted the frame. 2, provided with the cutting and feed devices; .A table 3 projects iorwardfrom the front end of the'base and is adapted to receive the envelop or other package or matter to be sealed and stamped. A well or pit 4 is'provided in the rear portion of the base and is adapted to receive the roll 5 of stamps to be affixed to theletters or mailable matter. The stamps are preferably provided in a continuous strip 6, which is reeled or otherwise formed into a roll, as indicated at 5, of a convenient size to be placed in the well or pit 4. The roll of stamps is preferably placed in a box or case 7. substantially as shown in Fig. 9, the same being composed of complementary parts, one adapted to fit within the other and both being provided at a corner with a slot 8 for the passage of the stripof stamps in the operation of the machine. The stamps being provided in the manner stated are in convenient form and may be readily applied to the machine when the same needs replenishing. A cover 9 closes the upper side of the pit or well t and is secured by means of a pin or suitablefastening 10. Y

u The moistener is located at the front endof the base 1 and comprises a pan or box 11 of suitable capacity for containing water and provided with sponge 12 or other absorbent material to insure proper and uniform distribution of the water when moiste'ning theadhesive substance applied to the sealing-flap of the envelop or other matter to be sealed. A plate 13 extends over the upper forward portion of the tray or box 11 and constitutes a table or support for the envelop or like article when placed in position for'moistening. the sealing-flap and the place to which the stamp is to be aflixed. A presser-plate 14 is hinged to the upper rear portion of the pan or box 11 and overhangs the same and is adapted to be forced downward a'fter'an envelop has been placed in position to bring the s ealing-flap in contact with the absorbent material 12, whereby thepaste or other adhesive substance thereof is moistened. A spring 15 normally exerts a force upon presser-plate 14, elevated at its frontedge, said spring being connected at one end to the box and atits opposite end to a pendent portion 16 at the pivotal edge of'said plate. The device for wetting the front of the envelop at the place elected to receive the stamp consists of box 17, secured to one end of presserplate 14 and provided with moistening-pad 18, same being supplied with'water from box 17 throughvalve controlled opening 19. Water is supplied to'the box 17 through an opening controlled by means of plug or other closure 20. The pan or box 11projects at one end beyond a side of thelbase 1 a distance to accommodate the box 17, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 5. The envelop or'other article provided with an adhesive for securing the same when moistened and pressure is applied thereto is placed upon the support or table 13, with the gummed end projectingbeyond the inner edge of part 13, so as to overlap the absorbent material 12 and come beneath presser-plate 14, care being taken to have the part to receive the stamp arranged so as to come beneath moistening-pad ,18. Pressure is applied to plate 14 to move the same downward, thereby bringing the gummed end of the envelop or other matter into contact with the absorbent material 12 and at the same time causing pad 18 to wet the spot' designed to receive the stamp. Upon removing pressure from plate 14 the latter is lifted by the action of spring 15, and the envelop or other matter is removed from the moistener andtransferred to table3 for sealing andstamping. During the transference of the letter from the moistener to table 3 the sealing-flap is folded or closed.

The frame 2 is secured upon base 1 in any substantial way, preferably to admit of its ready removal for inspection, repair, or other purpose, and, as shown, it is provided with lateral ears 21, apertured to-receive screws or like fastenings. The frame comprises uprights 22, upper cross-piece 23, and base-plate 24. The base-plate 24 is provided with a passage 25, through which the stamp-strip 6 passes, a

guide 26 being formed in the upper side of the plate for receiving and directing slide 27 in its reciprocating movements. Guide 26 is located above thepassage 25, and its upper wall is cut away so as to admit of the free operation of the feeder 28, which is secured to slide 27 at its rear end and is resilient, so as to move toward and from the slide at its front end. Notches2 9 are formed in the edges of the'upper wall of guide 26 and are located near the front end of said guide, and corresponding notches 30 are similarly formed in the rear of notches 29, the two sets of notches 29 and 30 being spaced apart a distance approximating the throw or travel of thefeeder when the same have been pressed through the stamp-strip 6.

The slide 26 is provided upon its upper side near its front end with a rib 33, having shoulder 34, againstwhich the lower end of feed-pawl 35 abuts to move the slide 27 forward in the operation of the machine. The

feeder 28, which consists of a spring-plate, is

secured in any mannerat its rear end. to the slide 27 and is provided with longitudinal slot 36 to receive rib 33.- The front end of the feeder 28 is widened, as shown at 37, so as to engage underthe part of the upper wall of guide 26 formed between slots 29 and- 30, so

as to hold the front end of the feeder depressed and the spursor points 32 in engagement with the stamp-strip ,6. after having been pressed therein. The rear edge of the lateral extensions or widened portion 37 is beveled or inclined, as shown at 38, for a purpose presently to be explained. A spring 39 normally exerts a rearward pull upon the slide 27 and is in engagement with pin 40, projected upward from link 41, pivoted to the rear end of slide 27.

A trip 42 is pivoted at its rear end to lug 43, provided at the rear end of feeder 28, and its front end curves laterally and is adapted to engage with thickened portion 44 at the front end of said feeder, so as to depress the same when the slide 27 about reaches the limit of its return movement. The trip 42 is provided with upwardly-extending arm 45, having a horizontal opening 46, which is internally threaded to receive set-screw 47, which comes in contact with the rear upright 22 of the frame 2 when slide 27 reaches its return movement, whereby the front end of the feeder 28 is depressed and the spurs or points 32 forced into or through the stamp-strip 6 preliminary to the forward movement of the slide and feeder to advance the strip 6 a distance corresponding to the length of a stamp. The set-screw 47 provides means for regulating the effective throw of the feeder 28, whereby the feed of the stamp-strip may be adjusted to a nicety, so as to insure severance of the stamp-strip upon the lines or spacesdividing the stamps. Spring-standards 48 are locatedateach side of the guide 26 in line tion of the spring-strip from which the standcard is formed upon itself.

v I The lower end of the free portion of each standard 48 is about in the plane of the lower sideof the upper wall of guide 26,, so as to hold the front end' of feeder 28 in position to engage under the longitudinal edge portions of said wall bordering upon the cut-away portion when the feeder is moved forward.

' A frame 49 isivertically s'lidable with reference to frame 2 and is provided with handle 50, in which operates stem 51, projected upward from cross-piece 23, spring 52 being located in said stem to normally hold frame 49 elevated. A rod 53 connects the'legs or vertical members of frame 45,- and its end porti'ons pass through vertical slots 54 in the up. rights 22 of frame 2 and act 'in'conjunetion with stem 51 to direct frame 49 in its vertical movements. Block 55 is adjustably connectedltorod 53 and has feed-pawl 35 pivotally connected thereto, said feed-pawl normally being at such inclination whereby depression of frame 49 causes forward movement of slide 27 and feeder 28, whereby the stampsare'advanced at each actuation of the machine.

knife 56 1s secured to the lower end. of the 'frontleg oruprightofframe49 and is adapted to-move across the passage 25 and sever the stamps from the stamp-strip 6. A,;highlytempered. plate .57 is attached to the, front end of base 1 and is formed with opening 58 in line with passage 25, and this plateis set in so as to come flush with the outer side of the front upright 22, The knife 56 cooperates with plate 57 in the severance of the stamp from strip 6. A pressure-plate '59 projects outward from the front member of the vertically-movable frame 49 and, overhangs the table 3 and. is adapted to press the stamp upon 'the envelop or" otherfarticle placed in position upon said table for reception of the stamp.

,The rear portion ofthe base-plate 24 is out away and receivesa detent BO'for preventing rearward movement-of the stamp-strip'when the feeder is returning to obtain a new grip Y thereon preliminary to advancing the strip to bring'thenext stamp in position to be properly ailixed. This detent 60 preferably consists of a spring-plate which is attached at its rear end tothe base-plate 24 and normally has its front end sprung downward, so 'as not to obstruct the free movement of thestarnpstrip in either direction when'adjusting the same preliminary to operating the machine. After the stamp-strip has been properly adjusted the detent is moved upward, so-as to exert sufficient pressure upon thestamp-strip to prevent its rearward movement when the feeder is returning to a normal po'sitionl A lever 61, arranged transversely of the baseplate 24 and beneath the same, is pivoted at one end to the base-plate, and its opposite end projects beyond the base-plate to be conveniently operated. This lever 61 is provided with'a cam 62 in position to engage with detent 60 and press same upward when the free end of the lever 61 is moved forward.

In the operation of the machine water is supplied to box 17 and pan 11 and a roll 50f stamps is placed in the well or pit 4and the end portion of the strip 6 is passed through passage25. In the event of the mailable matter to be sealed and stamped consisting of .envelops the same is fed to the machine by hand one at a time, with the-sealing-flap extended and passed beneath presser-plate 14, the envelop being placed upon the table 13, so that its front side will be moistened at the place designed to-receive the stamp. After the envelop has been placed in position'plate 14 is operated to bring the gummed portion of the'sealing-flap in contact withthe absorbent material l2,and this operation brings pad I8 upon the envelop, moistening the stamp-spot.

The envelop after being moistened is trans'. ferred to table 3, the closing-flap being folded during this operation, after which handle 50 is pressed upon, whereby a stamp is cut from the stamp-strip andpressed upon the -envelop by pressure plate 59, the folded flap -being sealed at the same operation. When the frame 49 is depressed, the feeder 28 is advanced, and when it reaches the limit of-its forward stroke the widened end or lateral extensions 37 pass from under the overhanging longitu d'inal edge portions of the upper'wall of guide 26 through notches'29, thereby permitting spursor points 32 to automatically disengage themselves from the stamp strip. Upon the 7 return stroke of the feeder when frame 49 moves upward the forward or widened end travels above the upper wall of the'guide -26, and when the feeder reaches the limit of its return" movement the set-screw 47 comes in contact with the rear upright 22 andthe' in,- clined edges 38 of parts 37 come n contact withthe pendentportions of spring standg ar'ds'48 and riding thereon press the sameoutward,'while at the same instant trip 42 is acting to depress the front end of feeder 28 thereover and hold the same depressed and in position to engage under the projecting longitudinal edge portions of the upper cut-away portion of guide 26 when the feeder moves forward.

For general use a machine suchfas herein disclosed will be provided for a number of denominations of stamps, and for compactness and convenience of use all the machines will be mounted upon a common base and arranged side by side. This construction admits of a single moistener being used for the series of machines, as Wlll be readily comprehended.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is 1. In a machine of the character described, means for moistening the sealing-flap of the mailable matter and wetting the space to which the stamp is to be afiixed, the same consisting'of a pancontaining absorbent material, a plate covering a portion of the pan and constituting a table or support, a hinged presse'rplate arranged above the absorbent material contained in the pan, and a box secured to an end portion of the presser-plate and provided with aumoistening-pad, substantially as de-= scribed.

2. Ina machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plateprovided with a passage for the stamp-strip,

a feeder mounted toreciprocate upon said plate and having a movement toward'and from the plane of said passage, a vertically-movable frame, a feed-pawl actuated by said frame for operating the feeder, and a trip for pressing the feeder tocause it to make positive engagement with the stamp-strip, substantially as specified.

.8. Ina machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided-with a stamp-strip passage, a feeder mounted for reciprocating movement with reference to said plate and having a movement toward and from the plane of the stamp-strip passage, a vertically-movable frame, a feedpawl actuated by said frame for operating the .feeder, a trip movable with the feeder, and a set-screw cooperating with said trip to admit of adjusting the feed of the stamps to a nicety, substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, a feeder slidable in said guide and movable toward and from the plane of the stamp-strip, a verticallymovable frame, a feed-pawl connected with provided with a stampstrip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion'of its upper wall cut away, a slide mount edin said guide, a feeder connected to the slide and having a movement toward and from the plane thereof, a vertically-movable frame, a feed-pawl connected with said frame for ac- .tuation of the feeder, and a trip for effecting positive engagement of the feeder with the.

stamp-strip preliminary to forward movement of the feeder, substantially as specified.

6. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, a slide mounted in said guide and provided upon its upper side with a rib having a shoulder, afeeder connected at one end to the slide and free at its opposite end to move toward and from the plane-of the slide, said feeder having a slot to receive the rib of the slide, a vertically-movable frame, a feed-pawl actuated by said frame and adapted to engage with. the shoulder of the rib forming a part of the aforementioned slide, and means for pressing the free end of the feeder into engagement with the stampstrip, substantially as set forthlj 7. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper Wall cut away, a feder mounted for reciprocal movement in said guide and having a portion movable toward and from the plane of ,the stamp-strip passage, means for pressing said movable portion-of the feeder into engagement with the stamp-strip preliminary to the forward movement of the feeder, and means for holding the depressed portion of the feeder in positive engagement With the stamp-strip during the forward movement, substantially as described.

; 8. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away and having longitudinal slots in the upper and lower walls of the stampstrip passage in coincident relation, a feeder mounted for reciprocal movement in said guide and having an end portion provided with spurs and movable toward and from the plane of the stampstrip passage to admit of projecting said spurs into the longitudinal slots or withdrawal of the spurs therefrom, means for pressing the free end of the feeder downward upon the return stroke thereof, andmeans for holding the free end of the feeder depressed during its forward move- 5 ment, substantially as set forth.

9. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter,,the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, said guide having alongitudinal edge portion of the upper wall notched or cut away at intervals in its length, a feeder arranged to reciprocate in said guide and having an end portion movable 5toward and from the plane of the stamp-strip passage and provided with a lateral extension to pass through said notches or cut-away portions of the edge portion of the upper wall of the guide, and means for depressing the free end of the feeder to cause its lateral extension to pass through the rearmost notch to engage under the edge portion of the wall between the two sets of notches in the forward moivement of the feeder, substantially as specifie 10. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, said guide having front and rear notches in a longitudinal edge portion of the wall, a feeder mounted to reciprocate in the guide and having an end portion vertically movable and formed with a lateral extension to pass through said front and rear notches, means for pressing the free end of the feeder downward into engagement with the stamp-strip when in a normal position, and means for holding. the .free end of the feeder depressed vby engagement thereover, substantially as described. 7 p 11. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, saidguide having front and rear notches in a longitudinal edge portion of the wall, a feeder mounted to reciprocate in the guide and having an end portion vertically movable and formed with a lateral extension to pass through said front and rear notches, means for pressing the free end of the feeder downward into engagement with the stamp-strip when in a normal position, and a spring-standard having a portion arranged to engage over the free end of the feeder and hold the same depressed and in engagement with the stamp-strip, substantially as specified.

12. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp strip. passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, said guide having front and rear notches in a longitudinal edge portion of the wall, a feeder mounted to reciprocate in the guide and having an end portion vertically movable and formed with a lateral extension to passthroughsaid front and rear notches, said lateral extension having its rear edge inclined, means for depressing the free end of the feeder, and a spring-standard having aportion arranged to engage over I the lateral extension of the feeder and adapted tobe pressed aside by engagement therewith of the inclined portion of the lateral extension upon the return stroke of said feeder, substantially as specified.

'13.. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, a feeder mounted to reciprocate in said guide and provided with a lateral extension having its rear edge inclined, means for depressing the free end ofthe feeder, and a spring-standard having a pendent portion to overhang the lateral extension of the feeder and to be engaged by the inclined edge thereof, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l t. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper Wall cut away, a feeder mounted to reciprocate in said guide,a detent for preventing backward movement of the stampstrip upon the return'stroke of the feeder, and means for throwing the detent into and out of operative position, substantially as described.

15. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter-having theintermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, afeeder mounted to reciprocate in said guide, a detent for preventing backward movement of the stampstrip upon the return stroke of the feeder, and a lever having a cam portion for engagement with the detent to cause thesame to engage with the stamp-strip, substantially as specified.

16. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of a plate provided with a stamp-strip passage and a guide, the latter having the intermediate portion of its upper wall cut away, the lower wall of the stamp-strip passage having a por tion cut away, a detent located in the opening formed by the cut-away portion of the lower wall of the stamp-strip passage, and means for exerting a pressure upon the detent to cause it to engage with the stamp-strip, substantially as set forth.

17. In a machine for sealing and stamping mailable matter, the combination of. a base provided with a well adapted to receive a roll of stamps, a plate secured to the base and provided with a stamp-strip passage, a feeder tically m cutter and pressure-plate carried by said verforth.

ovable frame, substantially as set I In testimony WhereofI aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES, N. STACY. [L s. 1

Witnesses:

GENEVIEVE MATTHEWS, GEORGE G. WATT. 

